Dylan Efron, Tristan Thompson, Mel B Among Star-Studded Cast of Netflix’s New “Squid Game: The VIP Challenge”

Liza EsquibiasTue, March 3, 2026 at 7:07 PM UTC

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A star-studded group is stepping into the world of Squid Game.

On Tuesday, March 3, Netflix announced its upcoming series, Squid Game: The VIP Challenge, which will follow eight celebrities as they “step into the high stakes game and put their wit, strategy and skillset to the ultimate test,” per the official press release.

The season is set to feature Dylan Efron, known for The Traitors and Dancing with the Stars; Hannah Godwin from The Bachelor; Kim Zolciak from Real Housewives of Atlanta; content creator Kristy Sarah; Spice Girls member Mel B; and Ryan Serhant from Owning Manhattan; NBA star Tristan Thompson.

Kim Zolciak; Ryan SerhantCredit: Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty; Ivan Apfel/Getty

The cast is rounded out by Viper, the fan-vote winner of Squid Game: The Challenge season 2.

The unscripted game show — which draws inspiration from the original Squid Game drama series — is a near-identical replica of the hit show and its lethal games, minus the death and extreme violence for those who lose, as its 456 real contestants face the question, "How far will you go?"

Furthermore, the players' outfits in seasons 1 and 2 mimicked the uniforms the characters wear in the original scripted series, featuring green and white tracksuits with numbers. The guards also dressed in the same red suits and black masks from the original drama and don't speak a single word.

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With his win, Viper — identified as “Player 152” — was given a guaranteed spot in season 3.

“It’s been positively overwhelming seeing such an outpouring of support,” he told Tudum in November 2025. “I think that people recognized that I’m genuine and found a way to advocate for my best interests without losing my sense of self.”

“I plan to cause total chaos,” he added of his strategy going into the next season. “I did learn that every single decision should be considered in great detail. For Season 3, I will surely use a microscope with every choice I make.”

Viper, 'Squid Game: The Challenge' season 2Credit: Tom Dymond/Netflix

Squid Game became a viral sensation overnight when it debuted in 2021. The release took the crown for Netflix's "biggest series launch ever" with 111 million viewers, according to the production company.

Set in South Korea, the Emmy-winning South Korean series follows 456 players, each experiencing their own respective financial issues, who put their lives on the line to compete in a secret contest and the chance to win a multimillion-dollar cash prize.

After becoming the most-watched Netflix original series of all time, Squid Game drew its final curtain in June 2025 with a six-episode, thrilling concluding third season.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”